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Momof2
Bookworm
Posts: 3010
Registered: Mar 2007 |
 Posted March 16th, 2010 08:53 AM IP   
Update from last night:
Today Ellen had more bleeding again. This afternoon she had a scan done to see where the bleeding might be coming come from. I had supposed it was the ulcer in the stomach acting up again, but it must be the doctors are suspecting something else too. The last that I asked the nurse there were no results yet from the scan.
We will be transferring to Indiana University sometime soon, probably tomorrow. They had wanted to send her today already but then held off because of the bleeding. The infectious disease doctor said that her T cell count is down to 34, and normally it is between 500 and 1,200. That means she has extremely low immunity. Once the T cell count goes up, she can fight off infections again. There is a specialist at IU that works with T cells, and we are hoping he will be able to help her.
Someone asked if I would post an address to send cards to Ellen. Our address is 22923 Antwerp Rd., Harlan, IN 46743.
Thanks for the encouraging e-mails you all send. It's wonderful to get them, but the problem is I almost don't have time to read them. But I do read them all. I'll close with a thought one of you shared about how God has a plan, yet we are on the wondering side of things. That is so true, and one day we will understand.
Just now a nurse called from the hospital to say that they will be taking Ellen to IU Medical Center tonight yet. It is around a two-hour drive.
God bless,
Howard
Amber
Mama to Carson, Brooklyn, Avery & Alena
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Mikeswife
Bookworm
Posts: 871
Registered: Jan 2009 |
Posted March 16th, 2010 09:05 AM IP
Praying... May God give them wisdom and comfort.
~VaLita
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eager_hands
Bookworm
Posts: 685
Registered: Nov 2008 |
Posted March 16th, 2010 03:21 PM IP
thanks for the updates. I do pray God will bring her through with healing.
Jodie
Wife to Colin. Mom to Alairia (6) and Tyra (3), and Maiya (10 mth. )
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amyjane30
Bookworm
Posts: 960
Registered: Mar 2008 |
Posted March 16th, 2010 03:26 PM IP
Yes me too!..^^^
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marvinez87
Bookworm
Posts: 291
Registered: Sep 2008 |
Posted March 16th, 2010 11:49 PM IP
Will be praying.
Inez ( Marv's wife 25 yrs.) Mom to Brittany 23, Sean 20, & Skyler 17
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justme
Bookworm
Posts: 945
Registered: May 2007 |
Posted March 17th, 2010 07:08 AM IP
Praying for her and the family.
Mommy to Tristan -7, Braden-4, Kiana -3 & Joseph -3
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Momof2
Bookworm
Posts: 3010
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted March 20th, 2010 10:00 AM IP
Update on Ellen: Sorry about all the arrows, takes to long to remove them.
Dear Family & Friends,
>
> Ever since the last e-mail I sent I have been gone from home. Monday night
> Ellen was transferred to Indiana University Medical Center in
> Indianapolis.
> I rode along with the ambulance bring Ellen to IU. We left around 1:00
> Tuesday morning and got here 2:45.
>
> First she was put in a regular room on the third floor. By Tuesday evening
> she was move to the Medical Progressive Care Unit on the sixth floor. The
> care in the progrssive care unit is just a notch below intensive care.
>
> Since she was at IU many doctors have checked her out and have ordered a
> lot
> of tests. So far they haven't found more as far as the root cause of
> everything. There a few teams of doctors working on her case.
>
> Yesterday Ellen's mom brought the girls. My mom and I had been here with
> Ellen till now. I was planning on taking the girls back home today and be
> at
> home for a few days. Before we could leave, there was a change in plans.
>
> Around 11:30 Ellen had a seizure, a first for her. My mom was with her at
> the time. A group of doctors worked on Ellen to stabilize her. They gave
> medication to try to stop the seizure, and they had to put a breathing
> tube
> down to her throat to help her breathe. Then she was promptly moved to the
> Medical Intensive Care Unit on the same floor. She hasn't come to it yet.
>
> Now the doctors are trying to figure out what caused the seizure. They had
> an electrocardiogram (heart) and an electroencephalogram (head) done on
> her.
> Later on they want to do an MRI of her head. Also they want to get some
> fluid from around the spinal cord to do testing on that.
>
> Tomorrow Aunt Esther (Kauffman) is coming to help out, and my mom is going
> home. Ellen's mom took the girls to our house and will be taking care of
> them there.
>
> Thank you for your prayers!
> Howard
>
> P.S.
> A test result came back showing that Ellen has histoplasmosis. This is a
> fungus found in the soil and then gets into the air. This is the cause for
> the nodules on her lungs. Anybody could have it, but with her low immune
> system it's bad. They will also be doing a CT scan of her head, chest, and
> abdomen. Since one of her knees is swollen, they want to tap into the knee
> to get some fluid for testing.
>
> Two possibilities for the seizure are the fungus and also vasculitis,
> which
> is inflamation of the blood vessels. The doctors are still trying to find
> the exact cause.
>
> Since her seizure, Ellen hasn't opened her eyes or talked and neither has
> she showed recognition when we talk to her. The doctor said she is stable
> at
> this point. She is breathing on her own but is still on the ventilator.
> The
> neurologist said they will keep her sedated for at least 24 hours. That's
> the reason she is still out of it.
Amber
Mama to Carson, Brooklyn, Avery & Alena
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mommy2boys
Bookworm
Posts: 790
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted March 20th, 2010 10:11 AM IP
Sharon was telling us about it last evening and then I got Howard's email. SOOO scary!! I'm anxious to hear how she is once she wakes up today!!
::JUDY::
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rallyjan
Bookworm
Posts: 2766
Registered: Jun 2007 |
Posted March 20th, 2010 11:01 AM IP
The poor lady, and her family. Prayers.....
Jan
Mama to Zachary, Leandra and Kandace
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miss mom
Bookworm
Posts: 254
Registered: May 2008 |
Posted March 20th, 2010 11:34 AM IP
Prayers for all of them.
-Charity
mom of 6
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Momof2
Bookworm
Posts: 3010
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted March 31st, 2010 10:19 PM IP
Update from today:
Dear Family & Friends,
Last night and today Ellen has been more restless and has pain in different
places. When the nurse gives her pain medication, she relaxes and sleeps.
When the doctors push on her belly she has pain. Her bottom also has sores
from her diarrhea. And we aren't sure where all her discomfort is, but when
she is awake she seems miserable. We haven't been able to communicate well
either. She talks but it is hard to understand her, and she doesn't seems to
understand what we say.
Last evening she had an MRI of her brain. That showed that she had a stroke
on the right side. The neurologist said that the place where she had the
stroke is a good place to have it if you're going to have one. The MRI also
showed the fluid on the front part of the brain which was there before, but
the buildup on the left side was bigger than last time they checked. Now
they are wanting to do a CT scan and an angiogram of her brain to see if
they can tell what's going on.
It's hard to tell whether we are coming or going sometimes. I'm preparing
myself more for the thought that God may be calling her home soon. The hard
part is not knowing what is ahead. But I don't need to worry about that
right now because God's grace will be there when or if that time should
come. His grace is sufficient for each day! Thank you for your prayers!
Howard
Amber
Mama to Carson, Brooklyn, Avery & Alena
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floridabreze
Bookworm
Posts: 1122
Registered: Jul 2007 |
Posted April 1st, 2010 07:56 AM IP
I feel so bad for Howard....it must be so hard to see your wife (spouse) suffering like that! He is in my prayers especially today!!
~Twila Henry
Married to my best friend, Dan
Mother to two blessings, Danny Jr. (14) and Tamara Quinn (12)
http://danhenryfamily.blogspot.com/
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ervro
Bookworm
Posts: 776
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted April 1st, 2010 08:33 AM IP
Oh, how sad.
We keep praying and hoping to hear good news.
Dear God, may you be so very close to Howard today.
~rosalyn~
mama to four daughters, ages 4, 7, 8, & 10
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blestmommy
Bookworm
Posts: 764
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted April 1st, 2010 09:51 AM IP
My husband got to know Howard a few years ago and we actually just saw him a few months ago at a viewing. I didn't make the connection of this being his wife till afterward. My heart goes out to him and also to the 2 little girls. How heart breaking this must be for them!
~Freida
Erin's wife
Jasmine, Tucker, Wyatt, Jade and Josie's mama
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rallyjan
Bookworm
Posts: 2766
Registered: Jun 2007 |
Posted April 1st, 2010 11:00 AM IP
Thanks for the update! I was just wondering about her recently. How much can a person suffer before they are called home? Will continue to pray for that family.
Jan
Mama to Zachary, Leandra and Kandace
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eager_hands
Bookworm
Posts: 685
Registered: Nov 2008 |
Posted April 1st, 2010 12:08 PM IP
yes. thanks. I was wondering about her too. I feel so sorry for those little girls who need and I'm sure miss their mommy!
Jodie
Wife to Colin. Mom to Alairia (6) and Tyra (3), and Maiya (10 mth. )
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Momof2
Bookworm
Posts: 3010
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted April 1st, 2010 02:23 PM IP
Update from today:
Dear Family & Friends,
We were moved to another room today. We are now on the fourth floor in the
Transplant ICU in Room B-10. The main reason for going back to ICU is that
Ellen's ammonia level is high. This is due to her liver not being able to
work it off as well. There wasn't a room available in the Medical ICU where
she had been, and that's why we are in another unit.
As far as how she is doing, she is still having pain and discomfort. She
relaxes and rests when she is given pain medication. But when that wears off
she is restless and cries. She mostly complains of chest pain, but she has
other sore spots as well. Yesterday the doctors pulled her chest tube out
about 2 or 3 inches, and she has been saying her chest hurts ever since.
She is still being treated for the histoplasmosis. They stopped the
Itraconozole temporarily, which they were giving through the feeding tube,
because they felt that it might be making her liver count go up. She is
still getting the Amphotericin through the IV.
When she talks we can understand her most of the time. She has a hard time
understanding us it seems because her hearing isn't very good.
The phone number to her room is 317-944-9876. Thank you for your prayers!
Howard
Amber
Mama to Carson, Brooklyn, Avery & Alena
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Becuz_of_Jesus
Bookworm
Posts: 1443
Registered: Jul 2008 |
Posted April 1st, 2010 02:31 PM IP
Thanks for the updates. I keep hoping that she gets better.
Gloria wife to Jason.
Mom to Cody, Jessenia, Jace & Ravi
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cherylburk
Librarian
Posts: 826
Registered: Dec 2008 |
Posted April 1st, 2010 06:00 PM IP
That is so sad. Will pray for healing.
Cheryl ~wife to Tom, mom to Kit
Weight Loss Center - Your Online Weight Loss Support Group
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MrsLee
Bookworm
Posts: 619
Registered: Jun 2009 |
Posted April 2nd, 2010 12:09 AM IP
We saw Howard and Ellen a year ago in Florida. I don't know if she was having any problems then already, but you would never have thought about it. It's sobering to think that something so drastic could be happening to any one of us in a year from now. I just feel so bad for them.
-Yvonne, mom to Allison (11), Audric (7), Cameron (5), and Chloe (2)
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Momof2
Bookworm
Posts: 3010
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted April 2nd, 2010 09:57 AM IP
It actually started about 2 years ago, off and on. But didn't get really serious until a few months ago. I'm not sure what symptoms she had back then, but we didn't know anything was wrong, either.
Amber
Mama to Carson, Brooklyn, Avery & Alena
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qualitybarns
Bookworm
Posts: 707
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted April 2nd, 2010 11:37 AM IP
This poor lady!! And her husband must be about exausted. too!!
Kim
wife to Ed, and momma to Sierra, Destinee, Cody, Cheyenne, & Starla
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mommy2boys
Bookworm
Posts: 790
Registered: Apr 2007 |
Posted April 2nd, 2010 12:01 PM IP
Quote:
Momof2 wrote:
It actually started about 2 years ago, off and on. But didn't get really serious until a few months ago. I'm not sure what symptoms she had back then, but we didn't know anything was wrong, either.
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I think it the beginning it was her eye sight and hearing that was affected the most. And she was so tired all the time.
::JUDY::
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delsgirl
Bookworm
Posts: 1135
Registered: Jan 2009 |
Posted April 2nd, 2010 12:16 PM IP
That would be SO hard to see someone you love suffer so much!
Christy
-wife to Delvin, mom to Maleah (5) and Shawn (3)
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Momof2
Bookworm
Posts: 3010
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted April 2nd, 2010 04:01 PM IP
Dear Family & Friends,
Greetings in Jesus' name! Ellen took a turn for the worse last night. Her
blood pressure dropped, and her heart rate went up. She also required two
more units of blood for her low red count. There isn't blood in her stools,
and the doctors think she is bleeding internally in the abdomen area. Right
now she is having a CT scan to see whether that is what's happening. They
stopped the blood thinner and are giving more IV fluids to help the blood
pressure go up. We are at a deciding point of how much more we want the
doctors to keep pushing on. They can do things to keep her going including
putting in another central line to give blood products and fluid faster. But
we are at the point of saying we have gone far enough. We were hoping she
would be well enough to get to a place closer to home, but right now she
isn't stable enough for that. Pray for us as a family that we could make the
right decision because it seems today holds some crucial decisions. Ellen's
brother Nathan got here this morning after driving most of the night. My
parents are on the way and should be here by noon. Your support and prayers
mean so much to us!
Howard
Amber
Mama to Carson, Brooklyn, Avery & Alena
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brenat09
Avid Reader
Posts: 183
Registered: Feb 2010 |
Posted April 2nd, 2010 04:06 PM IP
Oh... this is just soo sad... my heart is just aching for them and I don't even know them. Every time I open this thread I feel like crying. Praying for them.
Brenda, wife to Nathan, mommy to Kyle
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jolene
Bookworm
Posts: 1302
Registered: Jul 2008 |
Posted April 2nd, 2010 05:44 PM IP
praying...and so sad for them.
Jolene
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rallyjan
Bookworm
Posts: 2766
Registered: Jun 2007 |
Posted April 3rd, 2010 10:03 AM IP
so, so sad. I feel so sorry for all the suffering that her poor body is going through, and hope she can experience the ULTIMATE healing soon! Prayers.....
Jan
Mama to Zachary, Leandra and Kandace
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Momof2
Bookworm
Posts: 3010
Registered: Mar 2007 |
Posted April 3rd, 2010 08:06 PM IP
Greetings to each one,
Ellen responded well to the three units of blood and extra fluid yesterday.
By evening her blood pressure had risen but still a little under normal.
Her heart rate came down as well. She has been stable through the night and
is still has much the same numbers this morning. The bleeding seems to have
stopped. Her color is good, and she communicates better. We asked the
doctors to take the less agressive route and not put the central line in to
speed things up. She seems to have responded better than they had
anticipated. We also asked them to stop further testing and try to keep
blood tests at a minumum. They do need to draw blood every so often to see
where the counts are. If she is stable enough we want to work towards going
home with hospice care. Thank you all so much for praying for us during
this time of uncertainty!
Howard
Amber
Mama to Carson, Brooklyn, Avery & Alena
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lovinglife
Bookworm
Posts: 954
Registered: Nov 2008 |
Posted April 3rd, 2010 08:56 PM IP
Continuing to pray for Ellen and her family!
Tonia
wife to Les
mom to Victor (14), Vincent (13), Juliana (12), Zachary (5) & Anika (2)
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A Page in the Life of A Mom :: Title Page :: Dedication :: Ellen Eichorn
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